Peter Columbo v. Palmer, Town of - Police Department (SPR 20221820)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records August 19, 2022 SPR22/1820 Christopher J. Burns Chief of Police Town of Palmer Police Department 4419 Main Street Palmer, MA 01069 Dear Chief Burns: I have received the petition of Peter Columbo appealing the response of the Palmer Police Department (Department) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Mr. Columbo requested a copy of the internal investigation report, the independent investigation reports, and the Use of Force Policy of the Department. Prior appeal The request was the subject of a prior appeal. See SPR22/1062 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (Supervisor) (May 20, 2022). Where Mr. Columbo appealed a non- response to his request, and the Department informed this office that it was in the process of preparing a response, the Supervisor closed the prior appeal. The Department provided a July 6, 2022 response along with the Use of Force Policy and a Memorandum from the Professional Standards Division. The Department withheld both the internal investigation report and the independent investigation report under Exemption (f) of the Public Records Law, due to an ongoing investigation. Subsequently, I learned that the Department provided a supplemental response on August 14, 2022. Where this appeal was opened as a result of the Department’s July 6, 2022 response, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. Mr. Columbo may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’s August 14th response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 • (617) 727-2832• Fax: (617) 727-5914 sec.state.ma.us/pre • pre@sec.state.ma.us

Chief Christopher J. Burns SPR22/1820 Page 2 August 19, 2022 Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Peter Columbo